Fiorentina file/ Fiorentina 2 Bologna 1 and like father like son
When I was approached to write for the Rust I did enquire how much interest Fiorentina would be to the British fan and should I try to find an angle that such a fan would find of interest. The sports editor replied that as with other contributors I can write what I like as interest to readers, advertisers or the editor was of no importance whatsoever. Nonetheless I try to find such an angle and today is the fact that there are no less than 3 sons of famous footballers at the present Fiorentina, namely Giovanni Simeone, son of Diego the former Atletico Madrid player and now manager, Federico Chiesa, the son of Enrico and the son of Hagi the great Rumanian midfielder. Simeone bought fromGenoa and Chiesa who came through our Academy played yesterday in the 2-1 win over Bologna. Chiesa only 19 looks a brilliant prospect. He reminds me of Hernan Crespo with his dynamic surges into the box, one such resulting in Fiorentina taking the lead as he curled the ball past the keeper. Bologna almost immediately equalised but defender Pezzella headed home the winner from a corner.
It’s a new look Fiorentina under Stefano Pioli. We have lost many old faces – Borja Valero and Gonzalo – some experienced ones – Kalinic, Vicino, Tatarasanu – and saddest of all another young talent Federico Bernardeschi who went to our bitter rivals Juventus. We have replaced them with Bassena of Bologna, Simeone and Esseyric from Nice. However the graduation from the academy of Chiesa is the most exciting of all. He is on the radar of Chelsea and Liverpool and I do not suppose he will be spending his 21st birthday in Florence as the Viola is now a selling club. Perhaps his father Enrico who played for us is sentimental but more likely we give youngsters a showcase before they move on for big money. Alan Tanner says this happens a lot with young English players bought up by Manchester City and Chelsea who, as often as not, do not play them. Manchester City bought Patrick Roberts from Fulham who immediately went on loan to Celtic who acquired another young Fulham talent Moussa Dembele.
Having lost our first two games to Inter and Sampdoria I feared it would be long and unsuccessful season but we thrashed Verona 5-0 and, after yesterday’s victory in the Apennine Derby, play Juventus next Wednesday in good heart.
